The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a contract with a new provider of services to local military veterans.
Philip Simmons, a former Marine Corps officer and attorney, will become the county’s new Veteran’s Service Office effective Nov. 1. He will take over the program from the current provider, Kenneth Rislow of Veterans Hall Inc.
The Veterans’ Service Officer provides assistance to military veterans, their spouses and dependents in Clatsop County. The officer counsels people on eligibility for veterans’ benefits, assists in completing application forms, provides referrals to other resources, helps with appeals of denial of benefits and provides other forms of assistance.
The Veterans’ Service Officer position is funded by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, with supplemental funding from Clatsop County. This year’s contract includes $35,538 in state funding and $6,200 county dollars.
According to the state veterans’ office, there are 4,267 veterans in Clatsop County.
Simmons is a 21-year active-duty veteran of both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. He served for 12 years as a Marine Corps attorney until his retirement in 2007 as a lieutenant colonel, and earned numerous awards including the Bronze Star. Since retirement he has operated a private consulting business dealing with military and veterans law. He currently resides in Arch Cape.
Contact information for Philip Simmons will be publicized once the transfer of the service contract is complete.
For more information on the Veterans’ Service Officer program, go to “Veterans’ Services” under “Administration/Board of Commissioners” at www.co.clatsop.or.us.
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